The Supreme Court has sought instructions from the Union Government on whether a woman IPS probationer can be permitted to join Phase-II training, while hearing a challenge to a Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) Office Memorandum that mandates a one-year break in training after childbirth.
A Bench of Justice Manoj MisraandJustice Shree Chandrashekhar was hearing a special leave petition filed by IPS officer Urvashi Sengar, who challenged the Delhi High Court’s order interfering with interim relief granted by the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT).
According to the petitioner, she gave birth on September 20, 2025, and volunteered to undergo the Phase-II IPS training, which commenced on June 22, 2026. However, she was not permitted to join because of an Office Memorandum dated August 23, 1993, which requires a year’s hiatus in training following childbirth. She contended that the memorandum should be construed as a measure intended to protect women officers rather than one that disentitles medically fit probationers from undergoing training.
The Court noted that the Central Administrative Tribunal, by an interim order, had permitted the petitioner to participate in the Phase-II training subject to fulfilment of the prescribed undertakings, formalities and medical requirements. The Tribunal had also taken note of the petitioner’s submission that similarly placed probationers, including Anupama James and Arti Singh, had earlier been granted exemption from the operation of the Office Memorandum.
Issuing notice in the matter, the Bench observed that since the training had already commenced on June 22, 2026, it would be appropriate to seek instructions from the Union Government on whether the petitioner could be allowed to join the training at this stage. The matter has been directed to be listed on July 10, 2026.
